ION Media, America’s largest broadcast station group owner, will relocate its New York City broadcast television operations to One World Trade Center.
ION Media’s portfolio of TV networks, including ION Television, ION Life and Qubo, will begin broadcasting from the tallest building in the western hemisphere in the fourth quarter of 2017, providing New York and the tri-state area with a perfect 360-degree signal from a state-of-the-art omni-directional antenna.
This provides the ideal high-power UHF frequency footprint for high-definition broadcasting, as well as future wireless spectrum applications.
“ION emerges from the recent spectrum auction as the largest operator of full-power UHF broadcast spectrum in the U.S. Offering the best over-the-air wireless television signal in the most important media market in the world, from the top of One World Trade Center, achieves an important objective,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media. “We are proud to return to this premier location since our tragic departure after 9/11.”
The Durst Organization and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, owners of the World Trade Center, welcomed the company.
“We are thrilled to welcome ION Media to One World Trade Center’s broadcast facility,” said John Lyons, Assistant Vice President and Director of Broadcast Communications of The Durst Organization.
“The facility was designed with state-of-the-art equipment and also has the infrastructure in place for future broadcasting technological advancements.”
Last year CBS, NBC Universal-owned WNBC and WNJU and PBS relocated their broadcasting operations to the 408-foot-tall spire of One World Trade Center, makring the return of network and radio broadcasting to the 1,776 ft. after an absence of more than 14-years.
Six broadcast engineers were killed on September 11 2001 at the World Trade Center.
Following the terror attacks, broadcasters relocated their transmission to the Empire State Building as well as 4 Times Square and several facilities in New Jersey.
Restoring transmissions from the site was hailed as a momentous accomplishment. According to the Society of Broadcast Engineers the result is “an impressive and successful broadcast transmission system mega-project.ˮ
Broadcast antennae wrap around portions of the WTC spire and ancillary equipment is housed on the building’s communications rings.
The tower’s 90th floor houses broadcasters’ transmission equipment and serves as the communications hub for the building.
One World Trade Center’s 1,776-foot height allows broadcasters unprecedented coverage for their signal and the building’s state-of-the-art communications and technology infrastructure provides a full-service and seamless broadcast facility.
Developed by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, One World Trade Center is managed, operated, and leased by The Durst Organization.
